Cook sticks after strong performances

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Free-agent point guard Omar Cook signed
with the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday after playing for them in a summer league.

Cook

Cook started the final five games of the Reebok Rocky Mountain
Revue, averaging five assists (tied for the league lead), two
steals (ranking third) and 3.7 points.

"Omar has the innate qualities of a point guard," Bobcats
coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. "He has good ball-handling skills
and a good body, plus a good understanding of the game."

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Cook, who went to St. John's, finished
last season with the Portland Trail Blazers. He signed a 10-day
contract Feb. 3, had it extended once, then signed a fresh contract
Feb. 27. He played in 17 games for Portland.

Cook also played for the Fayetteville Patriots of the National
Basketball Development League, where he played for Bobcats
assistant coach Jeff Capel. He had 215 assists in 24 games with
Fayetteville.